FFRF is sponsoring a panel discussion titled, “The Battle of Church & State in the Era of Trump” from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Religion News Association national conference. Panelists are FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF Director of Strategic Response Andrew L. Seidel, FFRF Constitutional Attorney Elizabeth Cavell. Also on hand throughout the conference and staffing an informational table will be FFRF Director of Communications Amit Pal.

The Religious News Association 2018 Annual Conference will be held at the Renaissance Downtown Columbus, Ohio. Anticipated attendees include religion reporters at newspapers, online outlets, radio and television stations; experts and communicators of religion. Typical outlets include: The Associated Press, CNN, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, Religion News Service and dozens of others.

A graduate of Brigham Young University, Steve Benson's brilliant career spans nearly four decades and he has consistently found himself embroiled in controversy with his fearless editorial cartoons in the Arizona Republic. Benson publicly broke with the Mormon church following his revelation that his 94-year-old grandfather, Ezra Taft Benson, the putative president of the LDS Church, was, in fact, completely incapacitated while still in an unquestionable position of power in the church. Benson then turned his sharp wit and pen to the work of exposing hypocrisy and fighting religion "as an impediment to civilized advancement."

Steve will speak in the Charlie Brooks Auditorium on the 4th floor of Freethought Hall conveniently located in downtown Madison. Many of Steve's irreverent cartoons will be shown. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be provided. This event is open to FFRF members, their friends and family. Contact us at 608-256-8900 if you have any questions.

On Tuesday, April 17, Freedom From Religion Foundation Associate Counsel Sam Grover will be speaking in Iowa City about recent victories and ongoing litigation as FFRF continues to push back against the radical redefinition of “religious freedom” in the ongoing battle to maintain separation between church and state. The event, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City’s Secular Humanist Group, will begin at 7:00 at Old Brick, 26 E. Market St., Iowa City.